Category Archives: Sarawak News

How much have we achieved in the 46 years? We remain East and West, we remain Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Dayak, Kadazan. Are we one? Or are we just talk?’

For better or for worse, Happy Birthday Malaysia

Brij Jayaram Kathiravelu: Sabahans and Sawarakians best epitomise the very values we wish all Malaysians would. I feel sorry to read all the negative headlines from Borneo. They are laden with numerous issues including illegal immigrants, poverty and indigenous polarisation.

The BN federal government owes it to the East Malaysians to address all these issues as its very survival depends on East Malaysians. East Malaysians, please pressure your politicians to address all issues pertaining to your states. Selamat Hari Malaysia!

Lim Chong Leong: The divide-and-rule policy of the great BN … only to keep themselves in power and milk its citizens dry. How much have we achieved in the 46 years? We remain East and West, we remain Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Dayak, Kadazan. Are we one? Or are we just talk?

Kgen: Sabah is boiling, Sarawak is dissatisfied. Will they still vote obediently as BN’s fixed deposit of parliamentary seats? Now that there is an alternative, will they give Pakatan a chance or stick with the devil they know? You deserve the government you vote for.

Badrul Omar: 1Malaysia? Why do West Malaysians still need to pass through immigration when visiting Sabah or Sarawak and produce their MyKads or passports? Aren’t we in the same country?

Satria Asia: I’ve been to the other side of the South China Sea only once and that was so long ago. Speaking casually to some of the folks, I did feel some animosity towards the ‘west’ and wondered when some attempt at independence was going to take place.

But I guess for Sabah and Sarawak, joining Malaysia was a choice between two evils. Fortunately or unfortunately, they chose Malaya.

Gk: This article is a ‘wake-up’ call for BN government to be more ‘inclusive’. Malaysia Day should be the National Day, not Merdeka Day on Aug 31. Let’s celebrate Malaysia Day from now on.

Borneoman: I fully subscribe to the same view. Similarly the situation in Sarawak is exactly the same as Sabah. Many East Malaysians would agree that we were better off under the British than the “Malay” government.

At least under the British we had the best education in the region, an efficient mixed race civil service and an independent judiciary. And there never were any race or religious problems. So pray tell us why are we treated like second-class citizens? That’s why there is a general lack of interest to celebrate Merdeka Day here.

Gen2: Sabah is the poorest state despite its rich resources because its own leaders took care of themselves and their own pockets first rather than the rakyat. Don’t be too proud of your interracial tolerance because it won’t last long under the current BN government.

Citizen: Malaysia ‘truly Asia’ is found in Sabah not in West Malaysia. Years of racial politics have taken its toll, for West Malaysia too was like Sabah when I was young in the yesteryears. I hope Sabah will not fall into the same trap of racial and religious intolerance, now that race-based parties have entered Sabah.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described the spirit of unity and harmony among the people of Sabah and Sarawak as a vibrant example of 1Malaysia.

He said that there were many examples in both states of how Malaysians of different racial, religious and ethnic roots “can come together around the many things that unite us, instead of allowing the few things that divide us to drive us apart.”

“The story of Sabah and Sarawak is the story of 1Malaysia, and has informed and inspired my commitment to this concept.

“They are a testament to the fact that our differences unite this country,” Najib said in his personal statement in conjunction with Malaysia Day today to commemorate the formation of Malaysia in 1963 by Sabah, Sarawak and the then Malaya.

Citing the Gawai celebrations in longhouses in Sarawak as an example, the prime minister said, he could not help but think that the people of Sarawak had already adopted the values of 1Malaysia “long before I explained its various elements.”

He said that this scenario had driven his commitment, and that he believed that it had an important and lasting impact on Malaysia’s development.

“Malaysians of any race or creed need simply look to Sabah and Sarawak to gain an understanding of the incredibly strong and harmonious unity that can be found in accepting and respecting the diversity of our nation,” he said.

On Sabah, he said, what impressed him the most was the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit among the people in their development of a thriving ecotourism industry, turning Sabah into a significant contributor to the nation’s economy.

He acknowledged however that the economic progress in the two states was being hampered by inadequate transportation networks, underfunded schools and insufficient provision of services.

That was why he extended federal government grants to local authorities in Sabah and Sarawak, he said.

Najib also said that it was important for the government to provide the same opportunities to all and improve the lives of Malaysians regardless of race, religion “or the corner of Malaysia that they choose to call home.”

“In the end, whether we live in a remote longhouse or a high-rise in Kuala Lumpur, we are all Malaysians and we are all part of the 1Malaysia that we love,” he said.

In his blog http://www.1malaysia.com.my, Najib also recalls the time when his father Tun Abdul Razak witnessed the historic proclamation of Sabah’s independence in 1963.

Najib said he was 10 at that time “but I remember how proud he was during that momentous occasion. Sabah and Sarawak occupy a special place in my heart because of that history.”

He added that much of the country’s cultural heritage was tied to the icons of life in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Longhouses are as much a mainstay of life there as they are a symbol for our need as Malaysians to learn to live under one roof and to build up our national house together.

“When the sun rises over Malaysia, it shines first on Sabah and Sarawak. Our future as a country depends on our ability to work and live together,” the prime minister said.

As Malaysia commemorates its 46th anniversary, 15 indigenous Sarawakians have been detained by Kuching police for trying to send a memorandum of protest to the Sarawak Chief Minister.

Among those arrested are Mark Bujang (BRIMAS), Raymond Abin (BRIMAS) and Hellan Empaing (WADESA), all leaders of the Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia) as well as representatives from the Kayan, Kenyah and Penan communities of Sarawak.

The contingent, consisting of 6 Penan, 4 Iban, 2 Kayan and 3 Kenyah are all representatives of communities who will be affected by two major dams which are being built in their areas. They had prepared a memorandum on the issue and were delivering it to Wisma Bapa Malaysia, the office of the Chief Minister. While waiting for endorsement of the document, they were arrested by local police. They are currently being held in the Kampung Gita Police Station in Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. It is uncertain whether they are being charged, or what reasons are being given for their detention.

Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia strongly condemns the detention of its members who were attempting to deliver a memorandum on behalf of the indigenous peoples of the Baram and Murum areas of Sarawak. The memorandum protested the State Government’s actions to build hydro electric dams in these areas without the free, prior and informed consent of the communities affected and without due regards to the status of the native lands involved. The actions of the State Government are in clear contradiction to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Malaysia strongly supports.

We also condemn the use of arrest to intimidate and silence the voices of the communities who are questioning the construction of large dams on the area. This demonstrates the unwillingness of the State Government to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in projects that affect them.

We call upon the Sarawak State Government to immediately release all fifteen Sarawakians and engage in a proper consultative process with the affected communities. We also call for the respect of the constitutional native land rights of these communities. It is also in violation of the right to peaceful assembly, guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

“The Chief Minister should clarify this matter as to quash rumours going round here that UMNO is behind this. A clarification hopefully will put things to rest and avoid confusion among the people in Penampang.

“Rumour has it that Datuk Marcel Leiking, an UMNO member and also President of Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS), is pushing for a particular person to take over as District Chief. A clarification is all is needed to quash this rumour,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

According to Dr. Jeffrey, who is also KDCA Deputy President, if it is true (UMNO involvement) then this does reflect the spirit of the One Malaysia concept as consultation seems to be absent.

“If the rumour is found to be true, then this only goes to show that UMNO is an unchanged party. It continues to bully other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

“There should be consultation among colleagues, including with the current District Chief, who had said he was still healthy and upbeat to serve,” he said when commenting on the on-going issue revolving current chief Christopher Mojungkim and a contender, Sylvester Disimon.

The Borneo Post reported on Tuesday that the State Government had appointed Sylvester as the new Penampang District Chief, taking over from Christopher who retires by end of this month.

On Monday, the newly appointed District Chief submitted his letter of acceptance to Penampang District Officer William Sampil in his office. He will assume his office from September 2008.

Laila was actively involved in charitable, social, community and religious work through numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

As founder and president of Sabati (Wives of the Sarawak Ministers and Assistant Ministers), she was instrumental in setting up the Sarawak Heart Foundation.

The foundation, of which she had been president since its formation, has raised millions of ringgit and sponsored many needy heart patients for surgeries and treatment in the country and abroad over the years.

Laila also helped to set up an orphanage home named after her in Petra Jaya here.

Laila was head of Perkim (the Muslim Welfare Organisation of Malaysia) women’s wing since 1980.

She also headed Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Sourtheast Asia and the Pacific (Riseap) since 1983.